Which meared her rule with Africa.
Spenser.
Mere, n. A mare. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Mere (?), a. [Superl. Merest. The comparative is rarely or never used.]
[L. merus.] 1. Unmixed; pure; entire; absolute; unqualified.
Then entered they the mere, main sea.
Chapman.
The sorrows of this world would be mere and unmixed.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Only this, and nothing else; such, and no more; simple; bare; as, a
mere boy; a mere form.
From mere success nothing can be concluded in favor of any nation.
Atterbury.
Mere"ly, adv. 1. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely.
Ulysses was to force forth his access, Though merely naked.
Chapman.